Bearing



Patented Mar. 23, 1948 ZABMQZ BEARING Robert A. Smith, 'Mahwah N. J.; Mary Gray Smith, Margaret Smith Pryde, andy Mary Smith van Brederode, executrices of said Robert A. Smith, deceased, assignors to Smith & Serrell, Inc., Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 17, 1943, serial No. 491,098

12 Claims. (Cl. 308-78) This invention relates to a new and improved bearing.

The invention provides a multiple surface bearing of short axial length which is adapted to carry considerable bearing weight.

The invention further provides means for lubricating a bearing of the character described so that it may operate at high speeds, and more particularly it provides, in connection with a bearing of theeharacter described, means to insure oil circulation between the operative surface elements, the said circulation being accomplished essentially by the centrifugal action caused by rotation of the shaft and elements .keyed or otherwise affixed thereto.

The invention, moreover, provides a bearing of the character described which is durable, which may be readily assembled and adjusted, which is adapted to limit end play, and in which the worn parts may be readily replaced.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture comprising the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed description, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partially in section and partially in plan of a bearing embodying a preferred form of the invention, taken along the line l-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the oil circulation between the working faces of the bearing shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, I represents a shaft on which there is aflixed a multiple surface collar bearing l2. This bearing is preferably formed in one piece. It may be a'lxed to the shaft in any desired manner, as, for example, by being pressed.

onto the shaft, or it may be clamped to the shaft or keyed thereto, or tapered onto the shaft or otherwise affixed thereto. The bearingr is provided with a multiplicity of weight-supporting annular rings I4, formed integrally with the bearing. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, three such annular rings are provided. It is to be understood that the number may be altered and that the drawing is il.

2 lustrative only of one of several types of similar bearings embodying the invention. The multiple surface collar bearing may preferably b-e formed of steel or other suitable hard, durable material.

The stationary elements of the device mayl comprise any suitable enclosing and mounting means and a cooperating bearing 4 lining. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the.en closing means comprise a casing ring I5, which may be formed in one piece of, for example, cast iron and which may be provided with any suitable means for mounting it to a supporting element (not shown). In the embodiment of the invention shown, the casing ring is crowned for self-alignment in a bearing mount (not shown). 1t will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other ways of afxing the casing ring to a support may be employed.

Aflixed to the casing ring, as for example by the bolts I8, are two end covers 29 which, as shown in Fig. 1, are preferably each formed in a single piece, for example of cast iron. The multiple surface bearing l2 may be provided at its base with extensions 22, underlying the end covers 2i), and a seal may be provided between the end covers and the collar bearing by dust rings 24, for example. These rings may be positioned in suitable channels formed in the inner edges of the end" covers and may be held in place by a slightly increased lip diameter of the collar bearing. The dust rings may be made of felt y or other suitable material.

Within the end covers and in operative contact with the annular rings of the multiple surface bearing, there are provided suitable stationary bearing linings 26. These linings, as shown in the drawing, are two-piece linings, each split horizontally Vfor easy removal from the casing. They are preferably made of bronze or some simi lar material and may be keyed to the r*end covers' and/or enclosing casing ring, as for example by the pin 28, in order to prevent rotation off-the linings within the casing. The keying means should preferably be so arranged as to permit endwise removal of the lining pieces for replace--r ment and this may be accomplished by providing' a suitable groove for the retention of the pin 28.

Means are provided to insure proper lubrica'# tion of the bearing and working surface of the device. This may be accomplished in the following manner: I

The axial edges of the annular rings of the multiple surface collar bearing l2 may e provided with radially extending oil grooves 30, and similar radially extending oil pumping grooves,

' theszbearlngsaandfthe lowerfsurf-acesnfsthesrings thewworkssupp'orting :surfaces -ineludeealsoethe 2 tionsshown limits "endzfilnyeloftthesshaft zeIffen'd tween the collar bearing I2 and the bearing lining elements 2B. In the upper half of the bear# ing, the bearing surface will be the under sur-v1.01 faces of the annular rings i4 of the collar bearing l2 and the upper sur-faces of-fl-theaanmrlar rings 34 of the bearing elements'fssotthatfthere willbe a slight gap between thezunderssnfaces 4 Y h of bearing. It is, more with a short axial lengt over, adequately lubricated Vand may be operated at high speeds. It is relatively simple of construction and may be quickly and easily assembled. It operates eciently, its Worn parts maybe prompt- Y lyantlneasi13f"'1eplaced,.vandfitisv 'readily Vadapted tofawidefvarietygof uses.

It will be apparent that the structure of the -ispifesent invention functions not only as a multiple-surface, Weight-supporting bearing of sho-rt aiial length, but that it acts also in the nature -gofrathrnst bearingby limiting end zvminuslynpintedcout.

play, as pre- 'Wherever-freference is made in the specificaper surfaces of the rings ofi'thehbea'ring. In'fithe reversed and the bearing surfaces are Vthlower surfaces of the annular rings of the coll'arbar- Aexistibetvizeen themippensurfa'cesof'frthe .ringssof v ftheil-innglelenfients. llisatodee understood that 5 f etherssurfaices. :of-:fthe.:collaridaearing-swhieheare vparallelztoithefisurfacefnf;thesshaft on gwhichiit isimountedgrandttheif lmlngfelements. Y Y

Rotationsof the 'shaftlfsandftheceellarsbear-f 30 ingixedthereto #acts as y-ai.centriugalpunap, with'nat-.-istnuctilreT as has :just 'fheen sdescribed, tto foreeaoilwutwardly ,between .tnetworkssupportcooperatmgssuriaces @of the l offscourseqarovfided. sGonnectionslbetweenqthefreseewair., iand.thefbearingmaycbeiprovidediorgexamplasfatd Illini -Eiglf2- s Preferablyitheoil reser- :45

volnsssozdesignedfasfto:have afiargegsurfacelY area `at p'thesaoil level-vmaintained-rwithinsthe @bearing casing.

with@ construction such;l as hasbeerndescribed,

worn11iningsfmayabeereadilytreplaced by-sunbeltx50 an Aend-.-:coverffl-Il, rncvinguit slightlyffalong shaft l0, similarly displaeing-lfthenaasing'Yringsl-S texpose-.thefworn dining-,mnd then renicvirrgftthe llningrfelementtby slid-ing'itwalengf:theeshaftguntil ithassdisengagedtheacollanbearing andvtlaemre` 55 mevingeit. radially. Y Y .tswill:lee@apparentsthatftheebearingneonstnueplalyiaisldesiredfethe #widths of ethesenclosing mayfbefincreased Without? changing thessizessof en theimnltiple surfacef collar wearing-:or athe -f lining elements. The:liningqelementsmayitnentbesheld against thecbearir-rg bygprovidingsprirrgstorfsimi lanmeans'betweentheliningsandrmheiendcovers. These sanduotherrvariations'in-l the'cconstrn-ctton 65 ofdherbearing'iiparticuiarlyimcetiorrswithsthe methode-sofasealingrtheeendf coverseand the-muh, fori-eexample, @may :be qmade fiwithout sdepanting fromsthefscope hereof. Itwwilhbeffapparent: that bearings-.cof .fdierentfsizeawill fraquirediierent 7:0 clearances. These clearances may bezrea'diiyedeterminedbyoperation ifrnotralreaiiy -apparentito those :skilleelirin thwart. Y

l"s'lhelibean'ngfsuizlo ashasfbeenydesoribediprovides meansisforlzcarryingaa considerableio'earing-iload "i5 laififiilWedge or lm. 'ing and the upper surfaces of the annular rings 20 '-ofsth'e:y bearing viining.-.fe,len=1ents,f andare-gaps mill vposed"surfaces^off"the collar bearing and bearing lower half of the device thisffcondition vvvill'ibeg f."l.inings,';it.is.tosloefunderstood that in operation with lubrication such surfaces areV separated by What is Yclaimed is:

lar bearing mounted on a shaft for rotationithere;

'Witn iplurality :iof substantially .-concentic, spaced;eannular;"weightesupporting :rings rigidly aixed to said collar'ebearing,fsaidz'rings 1, providing Y aiplnralityof :fpairssof 'axially .spaced :,:anniilar bearingssurfacespa; `plurality ofrbearingi lining :elenierits incomprising' ,.fannular,V 'zweightesupporting rings .fcooperatingf with .the r-ings l:of vsaid' fzcolzlar bearing v:fand radially `zzizvositioned :.therebetween, saidli ingringsfprovidinglialplurality.Iofpairscof aXia-liyspace'd bearing Vs'uria'c'es :fin Ioperative fengagementfewithtthe annular b"earing1surface "f s`a-id`fr`stnamd frings, imeans iprovi'ding a n closure, means t i-xedlypositionfzsaidlliningffele meirits-"-withinf-saidfenolosure; v and '-means for in'- sur-inglubrication of the surfaces" in contact of said-fcllarfbearing-arid-lsaidlining elements/ Y` *T-ZKA multiple surface lb'earing v'of `short axial length comprisingianelementmourited for rotatiomwithfashftfariuecomprisinga-Lpiuraiity-of rldi'llyfspaced, fweight-supporting frings, `said ringsprovidingfa pluralityofe--pairs of 4axially Y Spacedfannularbearing"surfacesgflining elements comprising Weight-supporting rings Y cooperating Withthe rin'gsof ysaid first-mentioned element,

saidlining rings providing a plurality of pairsof axi'aliy :spaced -annular Avbearing'surfaces Jin joperative' engagement with theannularjbearing 'surfaces"of-said 'lrstnam'ed' rings, 'a casing, means formounting said lining elementsffixedlywith relspe'tlto said. casing,Y and (meansr'for lubricating thecontacting surfaces-between fs'aid first-nien# tioned, rotatable element and said lining .elet ments, lat-plurality .of -said rings ihavingl both-.the internal and external annulargsurfaces.thereof adapted..v toservevas sbearinglsurfaoes. during lep- 3. In a device of thencharacter describedpaf-cob lar .bearingmounted ori-a shaft; forrotation Atherewith, a plurality of substantially concentric;

spaced; annular, weight=supporting ringsY rigidly Y aiixedz-tosaid.collarabearing saidrings providing va'pluralityxifpairs of aXial-lyfspacedfannular bear- Y A A ingssurfaeesa pluralityfofbearing:liningielements comprising.;'annular,\weight -supportingr rings :jcooperating l:with the frings ofsfsaid collar-bearing andi-radially.` positioned therebetween, y'said 'lining rings providing :a plurality "of '.cpairs :of axially spacedibearingurfaces 2in roperativer engagement v' Withrtheiannularzbearingrsurfaces of fsaid' rstnamed "rings, fmeans providing fan enclosure;

meansstov X'edly-fposition said lining velements Wthinssaiidsenclosure;andfmeansarcomprising nadially extending grooves in the outer surfaces of the rings of said collar bearing for insuring lubrication of the surfaces in contact of said collar bearing and said lining elements.

4. A multiple surface bearing of short axial length comprising an element mounted for rotation with a shaft and comprising a plurality of radially spaced weight-supporting rings, said rings providing a plurality of pairs of axialll7 spaced annular' bearing surfaces, lining elements comprising weight-supporting rings cooperating with the rings of said first-mentioned element, said lining rings providing a plurality of pairs of axially spaced annular bearing surfaces in operative engagement with the annular bearing surfaces of said rst-named rings, a casing, means for mounting said lining elements fixedly with respect to said casing, and means for lubricating the contacting surfaces between said first-mentioned, rotatable element and said lining elements, said lining elements being split into a plurality of parts and removable from said casing without displacement of said rotatably mounted element axially, a plurality of said rings having both the internal and external annular surfaces thereof adapted to serve as bearing surfaces during operation of said bearing and at least one of said bearing rings extending between bearing surfaces provided by a pair of adjacent lining rings.

5. In a multiple surface bearing, a rotatably mounted element, a plurality of fxedly positioned bearing lining elements, means comprising substantially cylindrical, weight-supporting extensions from all of said elements providing a multiplicity of surfaces of contact between said rotatably mounted element and said lining elements, and means for lubricating said surfaces, said lastnamed means comprising cooperating radial passages provided by grooves formed in said lining elements and in said extensions of said rotatable elements, said passages providing with the bearing surfaces of said extensions a continuous path for the circulation of said lubricant.

6. Ina multiple surface bearing, a rotatably mounted element, a plurality of fxedly positioned bearing lining elements, means comprising weight-supporting extensions from all of said elements providing a multiplicity of surfaces of contact between said rotatably mounted element and said lining elements, said surfaces being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotatably mounted element, and means for lubricating said surfaces, said last-named means comprising cooperating radial passages provided by grooves formed in said lining elements and in said extensions of said rotatable elements, said passages providing With the bearing surfaces of said extensions a continuous path for the circulation of said lubricant.

7. A weight-supporting, multiple surface bearing of short axial length comprising a rotatably mounted collar bearing comprising radially spaced, weight-supporting elements, a plurality of bearing lining elements, each comprising radially spaced, weight-supporting elements, means for holding the weight-supporting elements of said linings in operative contact with the weightsupporting elements of said collar bearing, and means for lubricating the surfaces of contact between said collar bearing and said linings, said lubricating means comprising radial passages provided by grooves formed in said bearing and said lining elements, said passages providing with the bea-ring surfaces of said bearing and said linings a continuous path for the circulation of said lubricant.

8. A weight-supporting, multiple surface bearing of short axial length comprising a rotatably mounted collar( bearing comprising radially spaced, Weight-supporting elements, a plurality of bearing lining elements, each comprising radially spaced, weight-supporting elements, means for holding the weight-supporting elements of said linings in operative contact with the weightsupporting elements of said collar bearing, and means responsive to the centrifugal action of said rotatably mounted collar bearing for lubricating the surfaces of contact between said collar bearing and said linings, said lubricating lmeans comprising radial passages provided by grooves formed in said bearing and said lining elements, said passages providing with the bearing surfaces of said bearing and said linings a continuous path for the circulation of said lubricant.

9. A weight-supporting, multiple surface bearing of short axial length, comprising a rotatably mounted collar bearing comprising radially spaced, weight-supporting elements, a plurality of bearing lining elements, each comprising radially spaced, weight-supporting elements, means comprising casing elements axially movable with respect to said collar bearing for holding the weight-supporting elements of said linings in operative contact with the weight-supporting elements of said collar bearing, and means for lubricating the surfaces of contact between said collar bearing and said linings, said lubricating means comprising radial passages provided by grooves formed in said bearing and said lining elements, said passages providing with the bearing surfaces of said bearing and said linings a continuous path for the circulation of said lubricant.

10. In a device of the character described, a collar bearing mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith and providing a plurality of pairs of axially spaced, annular, concentricbearing surfaces, a plurality of bearing lining elements providing a plurality of pairs of axially spaced annular bearing surfaces in operative contact with the bearing surfaces of said collar bearing, means providing an enclosure, and means to xedly position said lining elements within said enclosure, said collar bearing cooperating with said lining elements to provide a passage for the flow of a lubricant from the internal to the external peri-pheral surfaces of said lining elements, said passage including the bearing surfaces, and said lining elements cooperating with said enclosure means to provide still another passage connecting with both ends of said first-named passage to provide for the flow of said lubricant from the external to the internal periphery of said lining elements whereby a continuous circulation of the lubricant may be maintained during operation of the device.

11. In a device of the character described, a collar bearing mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith and providing a plurality of pairs of axially spaced, annular, concentric bearing surfaces, a plurality of bearing lining elements providing a plurality of pairs of axially spaced annular bearing surfaces in operative contact with the bearing surfaces of said collar bearing, means providing an enclosure, and means to fixedly position said lining elements within said enclosure, said collar bearing, said lining elements and said enclosure means cooperating with one another to 7l proyideffpassages insur l -xzontinuous -Y circulation of a lubricant past said bearing surfaces.

f1.2..y In .a .device .of .the charactergdescribed, a colla-r bearing mounted .on r.a 1 shaft Y for atolzatiqzm therewith and l, providinga plurality .of :pairs vo1. axially spaced, lannu-lar, concentric v.bearinglsurfaces.. a plurality' orfibearinglining. elementsp'roviding a plurality .of .pairs .-of v axiallysraced:fannular.- bearingysurfaces inoperativel contact with the bearingsurfaces oisaid.- collarI bearing; means providing any enclosure,` means .tolmedlyi position said lining elements -within said enclosure, l and. means; forA insuring.: lubrication .of said...contacting bearingl ..s'urfaces., :said rl'astfnar'ned means .comprising V.cooperating vpassages inlsad' bearing .and said l lining `elements t, providingwith.. said bearing surfaces :apathior continuous Acirculation .ofsa'id lubricant. L

` `.ROBEl'wfIv ANSMITH.

UNITED STATEsPA'i-ENTS Y 

